Samsung release the Galaxy Camera… but it acts like a smartphone

For years we’ve had smartphones that have hijacked all the best features of digital cameras – so how about the Samsung Galaxy camera that focuses on the cool things your mobile does?

The Samsung Galaxy camera was shocased at the IFA (Internationale Funkausstellung) trade fair in Berlin (AFP/Getty)

A 16-megapixel point-and-shoot device with technology borrowed from modern handsets has been launched at an electronics trade show.

Samsung’s Galaxy Camera uses the Android operating system to connect to wi-fi and 3G and 4G networks so pictures can be taken, edited and shared instantly without any loss of image quality.

With its 21x zoom lens, it looks like any other point-and-click camera from the front.

But its reverse boasts a large HD touchscreen display that can be used to download apps, read books, play games, watch movies or view maps.

A visitor to the IFA tries out the new Samsung Galaxy Camera (Picture: Getty)

It also boasts a voice-activation option, while users can communicate through apps such as Google Talk.

But despite looking like a phone, it can’t be used to make calls.

Spokesman Robert King said: ‘Samsung’s Galaxy Camera marks a breakthrough in convergence technology, combining the leading edge design of our Galaxy mobile products with high performance photographic capability.’

The camera was unveiled this week at the annual IFA electronics trade show in Berlin and is expected to go on sale later this year.